Melville firefighter hospitalized

A 40-year member of the Melville Volunteer Fire Department was taken to Huntington Hospital Wednesday after experiencing difficulty breathing at the scene of a house fire at 26 Gwynne Road, said Michael McKeefrey, first assistant chief.

Responding to the 2:11 p.m. call, firefighters faced heavy smoke and fire at the one-story wood-frame house, which sustained extensive damage, he said. The home was occupied, but residents got out with no injuries, he said. The fire was out at 3:45 p.m.

The firefighter who was hospitalized and is in stable condition had been connecting a hose to a hydrant when he experienced difficulty breathing, McKeefrey said.

Also responding were units from Huntington Manor, Dix Hills, Plainview, East Farmingdale and the Huntington Community First Aid Squad.